2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 is first 600 to break 170mph barrier

At 172.34 mph, the 2008 R6 beat the next fastest bike by nearly 7 mph – Kawasaki’sZX-6R managing 165.97mph with the same rider in the same conditions at Bruntingthorpe proving ground.

MCN is currently pitting all the new 600s head-to-head on road and track – see whether the HondaCBR600RR,SuzukiGSX-R600, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Yamaha YZF-R6 or TriumphDaytona 675 takes the top spot in next week’s MCN, on sale Wednesday March 12.